AH&LA is the lodging industry's central conduit for information and preparedness resources, offering a nationwide network of experts in loss prevention, disaster preparedness, research, and communications to help members think and act ahead. In addition, AH&LA cooperates closely with government and private entities to:

coordinate disaster response

disseminate classified advisories from the Department of Homeland Security

channel information between hoteliers and relief agencies

link members to consultation and recovery funds

serve as the industry's voice to the media on every topic from hurricanes to labor issues.

A commitment to planning today will help support employees, guests, the community, and the local economy. And of course, thorough planning is the key to protecting your property and giving your business a strong chance for survival.

This section offers resources and advice for preparing an actionable strategy, both before and after a crisis.

Tornado Resources

If your property has been affected by a tornado, the following resources may be beneficial:

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Agency's HUD National Housing Locator provides disaster survivors assistance locating and obtaining available properties.

The U.S. Small Business Administration officers are on the ground in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia to assist disaster survivors with questions and disasters loan applications.

The IRS is providing tax filing and tax payment relief for individuals and businesses covering the period of April 15, 2011 to June 30, 2011.

Check out an interactive mapping tool that shows flood history across the nation, down to the county level, with data regarding past floods and their causes. Based on information from NOAA/National Weather Service, floods can and do affect nearly every place in the United States. For more details click here, and click here to view a risk map update schedule that shows, by zip, when your flood map was last updates and or when it will become effective.

DHS and Other Resources

In the aftermath of the April 15 Boston bombings, the Department of Homeland Security disseminated a wide range of resources designed to help private sector businesses, including hoteliers and lodging professionals, train themselves in methods of ensuring a safe environment for staff and guests, and to identify the warning signs for potential terrorist activity.

Links to the DHS downloadable materials, along with other AH&LA resources:

AH&LA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have joined forces on an initiative to encourage and educate lodging employees to recognize, report, and react to suspicious and crisis situations that occur on property.

Posters are available for the customized version of the DHS “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, which encourage employees to report suspicious activity to the proper lodging and law enforcement authorities. EI also offers Eye on Awarenessa best practices security and terrorism awareness online training program. The program focuses on the “awareness level” and provides hotel employees with a premier set of skill and knowledge components, including, but not limited to, housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, guest services, food and beverage, transportation, and parking departments.training module.